La Trinidad, Benguet records chilly 9.6°C this Amihan season

The upland town of La Trinidad, Benguet recorded a cool temperature of 9.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the lowest so far this Amihan season, according to a report on Unang Balita. 

This was even colder than the 10 degrees Celsius recorded in Benguet on Monday.

Meanwhile, crops in Atok have been covered in frost for three days due to the persistent low temperatures. 

READ: Amazing to tourists, annoying to farmers: How is frost formed?

State weather bureau PAGASA earlier said temperatures may drop to 7.5 degrees Celsius in Benguet from January to the first half of February, as stronger winds brought about by the Amihan are expected in the coming weeks.

In an interview on Unang Balita, PAGASA weather specialist Charmagne Varilla said the frost, known locally as andap, in Atok may continue as the temperature is expected to further decrease in the following weeks. 

"Hindi pa po natin nare-reach 'yung pinakamababang temperatura na dala nitong northeast monsoon," Varilla said.

(We have not yet reached the lowest temperature brought about by the northeast monsoon.)

"At ine-expect nga po natin na for at least the next two months or the first two months ng next year ay doon pa po natin mararamdaman ‘yung mas malamig na temperatura, and in turn mas magtatagal pa po 'yung mararanasan na andap or frost ng mga lugar na 'yan," she added.

(And we do expect that for at least the next two months, or the first two months of next year, that is when we will feel the colder temperatures, and in turn the frost or andap experienced in those areas will last longer.)

Varilla said PAGASA was expecting a stronger surge of the northeast monsoon by Friday.

She added that the temperature may reach its lowest point by January 2026. — Joahna Lei Casilao/ VDV, GMA Integrated News